SQUAD PROGRESSION

The BHSC Squad Structure has been developed to offer a pathway for all swimmers to develop within the club with a focus on Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD). We must note that these will evolve and that there is a broad variation in our swimmers in terms of: age, physical strengths, motivation, inherent skill, competition Performance  and future potential. These factors will go some way to determine which squad is best of a swimmer.

Each Squad should be seen as a Spring Board (rather than a ceiling) for each swimmer to develop, grow and improve upon. Use the training and experience of the coaches to your maximum, there is no limit to what you can achieve within each squad with the right attitude.

Swimmers should be working towards meeting the entry criteria for each of the squads. All movements between squads are reviewed by the BHSC coaches at coaches meetings and will take into account swimmers performances, training, commitment, attitude and attendance.

The Head Coach, in consultation with the team of coaches may at their discretion and with good reason, authorise movements that do not comply strictly with the entry criteria for a particular squad. Please note that due to limited numbers, places within each squad will be taken by swimmers showing the greatest Long Term potential based on current performances, training, commitment, attendance records and attitude. This will also apply to swimmers and squads within the Club Swimming Pathway.

Each swimmer is an individual and every progression or transition from squad to squad is treated differently. The criteria for each squad act as goals for the swimmers to achieve and therefore they also provide reward when achieved.

Sport is not an exact science and many factors come into play when progressing athletes at a rate that suits each individual. The coaches will discuss swimmers taking into account past & present knowledge of the individuals with regards to commitment, attitude, competition results, and abilities in training etc. Each will progress at different rates and display various strengths and weaknesses which will contribute to the coaches choosing the most suitable method of progressing.

This will normally be in one of two ways:

1.    A straight move up into the next squad. This is normally for older swimmers with excellent training abilities and awareness.

2.    Transition Training: a swimmer will have a more gradual transition by doing some sessions in their current squad and some sessions in the next squad. This will normally be for younger swimmers to ensure they can gradually cope with the different training environment and levels.

Examples of considerations to be made when swimmers progress may include:

  • Experience
  • Abilities
  • Commitment
  • Attitude
  • Punctuality
  • Knowledge
  • Better competitor or trainer
  • Previous injuries or illness
  • Rate of recovery
  • Maturity
  • Age
  • Sensitive stages of growth and development
  • Social behaviour
  • Rates of progression

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN OUR SWIMMING CLUB?

HARROW SWIMMING

We are a competitive sport club - with our swimmers competing at all levels from local team galas to British National

CONTACT US NOW

Do you want to be part of Harrow Swimming Club sport experience? Feel free to contact us for more info.
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